"Helmut Schmidt was one of the most important 20th-century German statesmen. ... He was SPD member of the Bundestag, Senator (minister) in Hamburg and the fifth Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. After his political career he was publisher of the Hamburg weekly DIE ZEIT and, for a while, managing director of the publishing house."

Helmut Schmid was known for his decisive prositions, opinions and mindset. He was highly appreciated as counsellor, mentor and visionary elder statesman. He was the compass in a more and more complex world. As nautic instrument the compass is a reference to his hometown Hamburg, the big harbour — open to the world, open for new perspectives, free sight and foresight.

_ the index of the compass certainly indicates one direction only. Regardless of the point of view. Which is only shown by the changing shadow.

_ the semi-serif font with its' unusual individual style represents his uncompromising character and independent thinker

_ the extravagant green colour is reverance to his typical pens in which Helmut Schmid signed and commented his works